Notes on Mark Epstein's, Thoughts Without a Thinker

This year I invested in reading, studying and practicing meditation. One of the best books I came across was Mark Epstein’s Thoughts Without a Thinker . Rather than try to regurgitate everything I’m just going to share a set of questions/quotes/statements from my notes.

• Even pain can be interesting. Sitting in meditation is often about investing in the examination of discomfort. When it hurts is when you start learning. Pulling a way, trying to hide from pain gives it leverage. Welcoming it, trying to look at it closely, it transforms.

• Other people, our own minds, and death. These are our challenges. Our greatest fear.

• What are we afraid to learn?

• Resistance, you are that which u resist.

• Transitional space, your teddy bear, the security blanket. The totems that carry between the maturation points of our lives.

• These weeds, these waves, they will help u. The things that obstruct you, you need.

• Powers of observation, not judgement.

• How do u contribute to your pain?

• When something could have happened but did not. This lives in the flesh not the words.

• Meditation on your mother...carefully tread.

• The family is the worst invention of God that never existed

• Meditation has a certain culture bias.

• Am I lovable? Estranged or enmeshed?